There are going to be a lot of walkers filling the streets of this city May 6.

Besides the sold out BMO Vancouver Marathon, St. James Community Service Society is holding its first annual Hike for Hospice fundraising walk the same day in support of its two facilities.

May's Place Hospice was opened by the society in 1990 in response to the growing AIDS epidemic of the day, while the Cottage Hospice launched in 1999 to help meet the needs for compassionate palliative care in Vancouver. Together the two hospices operate 16 beds, which last year served 148 patients who stayed for an average of 30 to 60 days. While staffing costs are funded, other needs such as equipment, social worker services, meals and support programs are paid for through fundraising.

The five-kilometre walk begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 6 from Cottage Hospice in Burrard View Park. The walk is part of a nation-wide movement that brings together organizations working in hospice palliative care to raise awareness and money. For more information, visit sjcss.com.

Downtown

Speaking of palliative care, on May 7 Dr. Claudia Naylor, director of the palliative care unit of the National Cancer Institute of Brazil, is the featured presenter for the UBC Palliative Care Y.S. Hsieh Memorial Lecture 2012 Distinguished Speaker Series.

Naylor will bring her global perspective on the need for palliative care in developing countries. The free lecture takes place at the Listel Hotel, 1300 Robson St., May 7 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information and to register email Bertie Glusman at bertie.glusman@familymed.ubc.ca or call 604-682-2344, local 62871.

Mount Pleasant

The B.C. SPCA is hosting its annual open house May 5 at its Vancouver branch, 1205 East Seventh Ave. from 2 to 4 p.m.

Apparently smiles and tail wags are guaranteed. This event is sponsored by Hill's Science Diet.

Granville Island

Fans of the children's TV series Mighty Machines will want to take note of this next event. Ocean Construction is hosting its 14th annual open house on Granville Island this Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Look for the 175-foot concrete boom pump extended high above the Granville Street Bridge.)

The event includes interactive displays, prizes, balloons and tours. And don't forget to check out the one-of-a-kind educational ball machine. Kids young and old will be able to climb into trucks and on equipment, honk horns and imagine operating these giants of industry.

Chinatown

The Vancouver Heritage Foundation has launched a series of walking tours conducted by either Maurice Guibord or John Atkin.

The second in the series takes place this Friday, April 27 in historic Chinatown where points of interest will include societal buildings constructed as headquarters for Chinese fraternal and clan groups. The Chinatown walk begins at the southeast corner of Carrall and Pender streets and runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. The walks are $12 and a list of upcoming events can be found at vancouverheritagefoundation.org.

sthomas@vancourier.com

Twitter: @sthomas10